Tuesday, April 24, 2018

NYC Radio: Report..Mike Francesa Wants Back On-Air

Mike Francesa desperately misses doing New York sports radio and is trying to get back on the air, sources told The NYPost.

When reached by phone and asked specifically about the WFAN possibility, Francesa was silent for a moment.

“I’m not answering questions about any specific stations,” Francesa told The Post during a five-minute conversation.

While Francesa or his representatives have had talks with executives from 98.7 ESPN New York and WOR 710 AM, according to sources, a return to WFAN 660 AM / 101.9 FM in some form could be in motion.

In Francesa’s place, WFAN has put the trio of Chris Carlin, Maggie Gray and Bart Scott in the afternoon. The threesome was beaten by ESPN New York’s “Michael Kay Show” in the ratings by a slim margin in the winter ratings book. Francesa had never lost to Kay’s show in a full rating period.

Francesa, 64, could have stayed at FAN in a reduced time slot. FAN was willing to shorten his hours, but he declined. He and company executives also held brief talks after Craig Carton was arrested for his role in an alleged Ponzi scheme. It opened the door for Francesa to remain at FAN without looking as if he were losing face. However, Francesa asked for a raise, and no deal was reached.

Francesa has been eligible to sign with any radio station since April 1, but has been unable to find anything as a second career after FAN. But now, he desperately wants to get back on the radio and is trying to find a job at a New York station.